Lacing device



Feb, 24; 1.925.

G. Y M. SAAD meme DEVICE Filed May a, 1924 awwz m JAM, v

7 sertcd and blown up.

Patented Feb; 24;, 1925.

UNITED STATES GEORGE M. SAAB, OF TROY, IDAHO.

LACING Application filed May 3,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Gnonen M. SAAD, a

. citizen of the United States, residing at roy, county of Latah, State of Idaho, have invented new and useful Improvements in Laeing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference, in its broad aspect, to improvements in lacing devices for athletic goods such foot balls, basket balls, volley balls and the like, and more particularly it is my purpose to provide what is commonly known as a flat lace, whereby to preserve the smooth outer surface and normal contour of the ball to the end that abrasions will not be made upon the body of a person using the ball, and to the end that the ball will rebound accurately when struck or thrown upon its laced portion.

It is also an equally important purpose of my invention to provide a lacing device which will not become loose and which will not interfere with the bladder of a ball or expose portions of the same, thereby increasing the likelihood of punctures or mat burns which weaken the elastic substance or fabric To these and other ends, my lacing device consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts described hereinafter, illustrated in the drawing, and pointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification.

One embodiment of my invention is represented by way of example in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a view of a ball having applied thereto my lacing device, and shows clearly the manner in which the smooth surface and uniform contour of the ball is preserved.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of my lacing device partially opened up,and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the meeting edges of the ball; the same bcing bent to show the manner of constructing the interlocking loops.

Like characters of references refer to like or similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, in which;-

The ball, here shown as a basket ball or volley ball, is designated by A, and has one of its seams interrupted to provide an open ing B through which a bladder may be ins The meeting edges of the fabric surrounding the opening are vention.

DEVICE.

1924. Serial No. 710,954.

formed with relatively staggered loops, generally designated by C, which are designed to interlock to close the opening and preserve the contour and smooth surface of the ball in the manner which will be hereinafter made apparent.

- In forming the loops C, the fabric of the ball is provided with a plurality of rectangular openings, and the edge is then turned under along a line contemplated by the centers of the openings. The material (1) between the openings forms the loops, and the continuous strip (2) along the edge portions forms a reinforcing web which is stitched as at to the fabric covering of the ball. The material adjacent the ends of the opening B is formed with an angular flap or car (4:) which is stitched to the fabric covering of the ball and also provides a reinforcement.

Extending through the fabric covering of the ball adjacent the ends of the opening B and on each side thereof and spaced from the loops are slots (5), (6), (7) and (8) respectively, and adjacent the slot (6) is formed a slit The lace D, used with my invention, is preferably of the flat type, and is inserted in the following manner :One end thereof is knotted as at (10) and the lace is trained outwardly through the slot- (5), thence through each of the respective interlocking loops C, bridging the slit (9), and out through the slot (6), then across to and inwardly through the slot (7). The remaining portion of the lace is then trained be neath the body of the lacing and is passed outwardly through slot (8). If desired the remaining portion of the lace may be cut off, tucked under, or trained back through the slot (5) as shown. The bladder is now completely inflated and the lace drawn tight to com-. plete closure of the opening B; any slack may be taken up by inserting the lacing needle through the slit (9) to engage and pull tight the body of the lace.

It will be found that this type of lacing will preserve the smooth surface and nor.- mal contour of a ball, and will not become loosened through rough usage. Furthermore, while a guard flap beneath the lacing (not shown) may be used. it is not necessary to the advantageous employment of my in- The number of loops employed depends upon the strength and Stiffness of the covering of a ball,

While in the foregoing there has been illustrated and described such combination and arrangement of elements as constitute the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is nevertheless desired to emphasize the fact that interpretation of the invention should only be conclusive when made in the light of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention and its objects with such attention to detail as will thoroughly acquaint one skilled in the art with its construction and advantages, I claim 1- A lacing device of the type defined com prising a plurality of interlocking loops formed by turning the edge of the fabric to be laced and stitching the same to the body of the fabric, said turned portion forming a reinforcement for the loops, the body of the fabric being provided with a plurality of slots substantially aligned with the rows of loops, and a slit, a lace extending inwardly through certain of the slots and outwardly through other slots and through the loops for drawing the opposed edges of the fabric together, and the slit portion of the lacing device being adapted for manipulation therethrough of the lace to take up slack.

In-testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereunto.

GEORGE M. SAAD. 

